2005–2012 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
111 lb-ft of Attitude
The MT-01 is a muscle roadster built around one idea: take the huge air-cooled pushrod V-twin from the XV1700 Warrior cruiser and bolt it into a chassis with sportbike-derived cycle parts. That's 1670 cc in a 48° V-twin, making 111 lb-ft at 3,750 rpm and 90 hp at 4,750 rpm. You get an upside-down fork, adjustable suspension at both ends, 17-inch wheels with a 190 rear and a chain final drive. What you don't get is electronics: no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. Nothing else in the naked class is built like it. Yamaha called the concept Soul Beat V-Twin Sports. The name fits.
Ride it at a lazy 2,000 to 3,000 rpm and it makes sense: overtakes happen on torque alone and you rarely need to chase the five-speed gearbox. Top-end performance is modest, and 130 mph (210 km/h) is all it has. It's for you if you want character, presence and solid build quality over numbers, and it has earned its cult status honestly. The caveat is ownership homework. Yamaha recalled every MT-01 for a possible rear suspension failure, and certain VINs for a throttle position sensor, so confirm both were done. Fuel pumps can also fail. Check the paperwork first!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) @ 4,750 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) @ 3,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1670 cc |
| Engine | 48° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 60.0 in (1525 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| Wet weight | 584 lb (265 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Top speed | 130 mph (210 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 39 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
I've spent years listening to MT-01 owners: in paddocks, at club nights, in owner chats, and in the emails and messages that land in my inbox. Riders love the sound, the low-rev pull and the way the bike is put together, and they're just as open about the weight, the short fuel range and the flat top end.
The exhaust is what owners bring up first. Even on stock pipes they describe a deep, booming soundtrack, and those who fitted the optional Akrapovič system talk about a roar on another level. Right behind it comes the torque: riders consistently report strong pull from just off idle, so passing rarely needs a downshift. The flip side is reported almost as often. The engine signs off at 5,500 rpm, feels flat past 4,000 rpm, and owners say it can't stay with modern middleweights in a straight fight. A few also mention vibration: nuts and bolts can work loose, so they check them regularly.
Owners point to the cycle parts with pride: a fully adjustable upside-down fork, a fully adjustable rear monoshock and powerful R1-derived dual disc brakes. Build quality gets similar praise, with riders describing top-level materials, fine paint and careful assembly, and rating reliability at the very top. The most repeated complaint sits right alongside. The weight makes quick direction changes and low-speed maneuvers hard work, and riders call the bike lumbering next to other nakeds of its time. Effort required!
Larger riders say the wide tank, tall seat and neutral, upright position fit them well, without the cramped feel of many nakeds. Distance is where the gripes stack up. A 4.0 gal (15 L) tank gives a real-world range of barely 125 miles (200 km), so longer rides mean frequent fuel stops. With no wind protection, the blast gets tiring at highway speed, and many owners use a tank bag or an aftermarket screen to take the edge off. Some add that the pillion pad is very small and hard. Passengers complain even on short trips.
Rear suspension recall
Yamaha issued a safety recall for all MT-01 models due to possible critical failure of the rear suspension. Owners should confirm the recall has been performed.
Fuel pump failure
The fuel pump can fail, causing the engine to cut out or fail to start. Yamaha replaces it under warranty but the problem is not part of an official recall.
Throttle position sensor recall
A recall was issued for the throttle position sensor affecting certain MT-01 VINs (shared with R1, FZ6, and others). A faulty sensor can cause erratic throttle response.
Rust on handlebars
A few owners reported light surface rust on the handlebars, likely due to moisture retention in the finish. It remains a very uncommon complaint.
Where this Yamaha MT-01 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the MT-01 is actually built for.
This is your bike. Sporty weekend loops at a relaxed pace, with a sound and a look that make every stop part of the ride. Plan your fuel stops around the 4.0 gal (15 L) tank.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
You want a precise tool for tight, technical corners. At 584 lb (265 kg) on a 60.0 in (1525 mm) wheelbase, this isn't it. It rewards smooth, torque-driven lines, not quick direction changes.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If precision and outright performance are your thing, 90 hp and no rider aids won't satisfy you. Buy it as the character bike for slower Sunday runs, not as your canyon weapon.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2009–2017
Four Cylinders Of Pure Torque
Competitor · 2010–2016
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Competitor · 2005
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Competitor · 2004–2008
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